San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford bobbles ball after forcing out Colorado Rockies runner at second base in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford bobbles ball after...

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Brandon Crawford bobbles the ball, which he then threw wildly for his third error among the Giants' 13 on the trip.

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Brandon Crawford bobbles the ball, which he then threw wildly for...

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DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Starting pitcher Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco Giants delivers to home plate during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Starting pitcher Barry Zito #75 of the San...

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DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies hits an RBI single during the first inning as Guillermo Quiroz #12 of the San Francisco Giants and home plate umpire Lance Barrett look on at Coors Field on May 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies...

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DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Starting pitcher Juan Nicasio #44 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on May 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Starting pitcher Juan Nicasio #44 of the...

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DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Eric Young Jr. #1 of the Colorado Rockies slides in safely for a stolen base and takes out second baseman Nick Noonan #21 of the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Coors Field on May 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Eric Young Jr. #1 of the Colorado Rockies...

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito, right, confers with catcher Guillermo Quiroz, front left, and pitching coach Dave Righetti after Zito gave up an RBI-single to Colorado Rockies' Jordan Pacheco in the fifth inning of the MLB National League baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito, right, confers...

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DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Starting pitcher Juan Nicasio #44 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on May 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Starting pitcher Juan Nicasio #44 of the...

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Colorado Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, right, celebrates with center fielder Dexter Fowler after their 5-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in Denver, Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, right, celebrates...

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Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torealba, left, congratulates relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt who retired in order the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning of the Rockies' 5-0 victory in a baseball game in Denver, Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torealba, left, congratulates...

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Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez reacts after striking out against the San Francisco Giants in the eighth inning of the Rockies' 5-0 victory in a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Francisco Giants' Hunter Pence tries to check his swing but is called out on strikes against the Colorado Rockies to lead off the ninth inning of the Rockies' 5-0 victory in a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Hunter Pence tries to check his swing but is...

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DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Eric Young Jr. #1 of the Colorado Rockies walks in to score after Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco Giants gave up a hit to Carlos Gonzalez #5 (not pictured) during the first inning at Coors Field on May 19, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Photo: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Eric Young Jr. #1 of the Colorado Rockies...

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Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki jumps in the air as he throws to put out San Francisco Giants' Brandon Crawford in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki jumps in the air as he...

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Colorado Rockies' DJ LaMahieu hits a ground ball against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' DJ LaMahieu hits a ground ball against the San...

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, front, waits for the throw after forcing out Colorado Rockies' Jordan Pacheco, back left, at second base in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Giants second baseman Nick Noonan, back right, looks on. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, front, waits for...

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Colorado Rockies first baseman Jordan Pacheco looks on against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies first baseman Jordan Pacheco looks on against the...

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the...

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San Francisco Giants' Angel Pagan swings at a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Angel Pagan swings at a pitch against the...

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San Francisco Giants catcher Guillermo Quiroz heads to the dugout before facing the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants catcher Guillermo Quiroz heads to the dugout...

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio turns to throw out San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito to end the top of the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio turns to throw out...

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the...

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San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy looks on against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy looks on against the...

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio works against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio works against the...

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Colorado Rockies' Eric Young swings at a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Eric Young swings at a pitch against the San...

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Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, right, autographs a ball for a fan before facing the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, right, autographs a...

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio turns to throw out San Francisco Giants' Guillermo Quiroz in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio turns to throw out...

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Colorado Rockies' Jordan Pacheco follows the flight of his RBI-single against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Jordan Pacheco follows the flight of his...

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San Francisco Giants catcher Guillermo Quiroz checks scoreboard as he heads out to his position to face the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants catcher Guillermo Quiroz checks scoreboard as...

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Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler hits a single against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler hits a single against the San...

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Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki flies through the air after throwing to put out San Francisco Giants' Brandon Crawford in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki flies through the air...

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San Francisco Giants' Gregor Blanco singles against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Gregor Blanco singles against the Colorado...

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San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval swings at a pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval swings at a pitch against the...

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval warms up before taking his position on the diamond against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval warms up before...

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Colorado Rockies' Eric Young follows the flight of his leadoff single against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Eric Young follows the flight of his leadoff...

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the...

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Colorado Rockies' Jordan Pacheco lines out against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Jordan Pacheco lines out against the San...

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Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez follows the flight of his RBI-single against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez follows the flight of his...

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, left, tries to field throw as Colorado Rockies' DJ LaMahieu (9) advances to second base in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver, Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, left, tries to...

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Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez follows the flight of his RBI double against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez follows the flight of his RBI...

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Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler, back, scores on a double by Carlos Gonzalez as San Francisco Giants catcher Guillermo Quiroz waits for the throw from the outfield in the fifth inning of the MLB National League baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Francisco Giants second baseman Nick Noonan, left, tries to field the throw as Colorado Rockies' Eric Young steals second base in the first inning of the MLB National League baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants second baseman Nick Noonan, left, tries to...

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San Francisco Giants' Hunter Pence reacts after striking out while swinging against the Colorado Rockies to end the top pf the fourth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Hunter Pence reacts after striking out while...

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of the MLB National League baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito works against the...

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Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez follows through with his swing after connecting for an RBI-single against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver, Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez follows through with his swing...

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San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval reacts after being called out on strikes against the Colorado Rockies to close out the top of the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval reacts after being called out...

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval stretches before facing the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval stretches before...

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San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy looks on against the Colorado Rockies San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy looks on against the...

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Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss, left, confers with third base umpire Tim McClelland while facing the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss, left, confers with third base...

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Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler rounds third base on his way to scoring on an RBI-double by Carlos Gonzalez against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler rounds third base on his way to...

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San Francisco Giants centerfielder Angel Pagan heads out to the field to face the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants centerfielder Angel Pagan heads out to the...

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San Francisco Giants leadoff hitter Angel Pagan avoids an inside pitch against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants leadoff hitter Angel Pagan avoids an inside...

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio works against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver, Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio works against the...

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To mark the distribution of a bobblehead in his image, Colorado Rockies hitting coach and former leftfielder Dante Bichette tosses out the ceremonial first pitch before the Rockies hosted the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in Denver, Sunday, May 19, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

In the third inning of Sunday's 5-0 loss to the Rockies, Nick Noonan lay sprawled behind second base after Carlos Gonzalez accidentally kneed him in the neck.

What a perfect metaphor for arguably the ugliest road trip in the Bruce Bochy era, a stinkpot of bad pitching and worse defense that concluded with the Giants scoring once over the final 16 innings at Coors Field, including their fourth shutout defeat in 152 games at the park since it opened in 1995.

"It's time for us to go home and play better ball," Bochy said, knowing his boys cannot play much worse.

In losing five of six at Toronto and Colorado, the Giants committed 13 errors and were outscored 52-28. Barry Zito allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings Sunday, and the rotation's ERA for the trip actually dipped, to 9.82.

The starters' overall ERA rose to 4.87, the highest it has been after 40 or more games of any year since 2005.

The Giants' biggest need heading into a three-game series against the Nationals at AT&T Park on Monday night is righting the one unit most responsible for the 2010 and 2012 World Series championships.

"This is a great starting rotation that's done some wonderful things for us, but we've got to make some adjustments," Bochy said, and he did not mean new faces. The cavalry is not coming. The Giants will win or lose with the men they have.

The faithful are beginning to fear that no mere adjustment will do the trick and that one of the best starting fives ever to don Giants uniforms might have run their course as a top-tier staff.

The biggest worry is that two championship runs in three season taxed their arms, and now these pitchers are paying the piper for those two gorgeous rings.

Clearly, the Giants' higher-ups are not ready to draw that conclusion after 44 games, but Bochy acknowledged that topic has been discussed.

"We need to keep an eye on these guys because they have carried a heavy workload, not just in '12, but in '10, too," he said.

One of the key problems has been poor location, which can be caused by bad mechanics, which in turn can result from fatigue.

"That's a hard one to answer," Bochy said. "They only know how they feel mechanically. Sure, (pitching coach Dave Righetti) has talked to a couple of pitchers about their deliveries. That happens even when we're going well during the season.

"This is a rough patch, but is it a small sample size? We'll see. It's been a rough go-round this week. We need to get further into the season before we can answer that question."

Bochy said many elements besides possible fatigue come into play during a staff-wide slump, including pitch selection and even a snowballing decline in confidence. Plus, everything gets magnified by bad defense, which was an epidemic on this trip that hit even Brandon Crawford to the tune of three errors.

What confidence that Bochy has in his rotation comes from the signs that he has seen. Madison Bumgarner has been good consistently. Tim Lincecum's stuff is better than last year. Zito and Matt Cain have tossed out some good games. Only Ryan Vogelsong has been the one bad constant.

"I know it's been a quarter of the season," Bochy said. "We've probably been a little spoiled with these guys. It makes you appreciate the talent these guys have. What they're going through is something we're not used to."

How bad was it?

In many ways, the Giants were fortunate to win one of the six games on their just-completed road trip. A look at the ugly numbers: